Georgian Gemstone with Portrait of a Philosopher

Rectangular in plan, the lime green silk field with two large roundels of red silk tied by a tassel in the rococo style, signature of Sultan Mahmud II contained within a mosque lamp, ten smaller roundels of alternating cream, orange and cream silk; large central rectangular panel and two bands above incorporating inscriptions in Thuluth, tughra of the Sultan framed by swags in lower part of field, ground richly decorated with floral swags and vegetal motifs, backed. 17.8 kg, 294 x 179 cm



Acquired before 2000. Private collection, UK. with Bonhams, London, 6 October 2008, no.216 (est. £80,000 - £120,000). This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12741-235157. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The inscriptions comprise: in two horizontal cartouches: Qur'an, surah al-Ahzab (XXXIII, verses 45-46) inscription contained in mosque lamp; the signature of Sultan Mahmud Il in the two large roundels: the Shahadah in the six roundels above central rectangular panel; the names of the four Orthodox Caliphs, and the Imams Hasan and Husain in the central panel; Quran, surah al-Baqarah (Il), verse 255, ayat al-Kursi in the six side panels; the names of the companions of the Prophet in the lower part; the tughra of Sultan Mahmud.

D-section hoop inscribed to the inner face 'Keepe Faith Till Deaith*'. 4.76 grams, 20.71 mm overall, 17.97 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Robin Sykes at Sutton on the Forest, Hambleton, North Yorkshire, UK, on 10 October 1999, recorded as Treasure by the finder and disclaimed by the Crown with Treasure case no.MME158. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.PAS-743C06. Accompanied by a copy of page 81 of the Treasure Annual Report 1998-1999 where this ring is published. Accompanied by copies of various correspondence relating to this find. Accompanied by an illustrated record card by Jim Halliday dated 11 October 1999. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Rectangular wooden board with mounting slots to reverse, reserved border and reveal; painted image of Mary Eleousa (also called the 'Virgin of Tenderness'); nimbate Mary in golden robes cradling infant Jesus, with cheeks pressed together; 'MP' monogram at top left. 885 grams, 29.5 x 25 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12508-231941. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.